Blood supply to the bladder during filling

Amongst other features of bladder physiology, the mechanics of cyclic filling and emptying make the blood supply of the bladder unique with respect to other organs of the body. Blood vessels are required to lengthen and shorten, whilst maintaining sufficient perfusion of the smooth muscle. Interruption of the blood supply may result in ischaemia and, ultimately reperfusion, resulting in bladder pathologies. The blood flow is also likely to be affected by factors such as increased intra-abdominal pressure. In this article, several features of the blood supply to the bladder- and also the urethra--are discussed.